The theme of the lab is to study how (mechanism and extent) membrane homeostasis is established in single adherent eukaryotic cells. The question boils down to first defining membrane homeostasis, then understanding how mechanical properties of the plasma membrane are physically and biochemically regulated in the cell and how the functional coupling of the membrane to the cytoskeleton directs mechanical responses and cellular functioning.
A combination of high-resolution imaging of cells with substrate micro-patterning and controlled stretching is used to address this. Using Reflection Interference microscopy and Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence microscopy we map spatio-temporal fluctuation profile of cell membranes and thereby study the controlling factors and the intrinsic heterogeneities. We have developed newer ways of single stretching to study the effect of mechanical stress on membrane trafficking, cytoskeleton interactions, internal organelle distribution, cell-substrate interactions and cell re-orientation. In parallel, wound healing assay forms our model to understand the effect of cell-cell interactions in maintaining a homeostasis of membrane mechanical properties. Finally we study hypo-osmotic shock induced membrane rupture as events of failure of membrane homeostasis.

Academic Background:

PhD (Life Sciences), National Centre for Biological Sciences, 2007

Positions:

Postdoctoral Fellow, Institut Curie (2007 - 2011)

Assistant Professor, IISER Kolkata ( - )

Awards and Honors:

Intermediate Fellowship from Wellcome Trust DBT India Alliance (2013)

Ramanujan Fellowship from Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India (2012)